Seriously though, it’s actually quite important what we end up doing with the old arena and the massive site that surrounds it. It’s right on top of an LRT stop and could become a hub of sorts, whether that means we turn it into a transit-oriented neighbourhood development, or a sports and event space. That’s so much land in the middle of our city, let’s try not to waste the opportunity. Like we have been doing for more than four years now…

Way down at the other end of the Capital Line, the Century Park development is getting back on track. It stalled out when the recession turned south and the developer behind the project is proposing some changes to the plans that were previously approved. This includes a reduction in parking! Of course, Edmonton is so in love with parking that it’s going to keep checking in on things every time a new building goes up. Why can’t we just trust that not everyone needs a car, or two cars or parking spots for everyone that could possibly visit them?

Around the city

Edmonton city councillors are having their pay reviewed because of changes from the federal government that eliminate the tax-free portion of their salaries. They normally get their salaries reviewed by an independent committee every six years, and this is coming in between the regularly scheduled reviews.

A new program is keeping people out of the remand centre by helping them figure out the bail system after they’re charged, instead of days later, after they’ve spent time locked up. Doing the math mentioned in the story, for all the people it’s helped so far, if they were kept out of remand for two to three days they would have spent there, the program has already saved the provincial justice system the cost of the program. It’s obviously something that needs to be expanded.

Other interesting things

I’m not sure why Metro Edmonton doesn’t post writer Danielle Paradis’ columns each week, but she often has excellent takes on our city, including her latest on Indigenous stories needing to go beyond the 4Ds. It’s an important reminder for all of us in this social-sharing world, and doubly-so for us journalists and storytellers.